2020 saw Gemma Hayes and her family to relocate from London to West Cork in her native Ireland. It was here that she reignited her passion for song-writing that provided the spark for what would become her sixth studio album Blind Faith. “Songs began to murmur, distil and rise up in my mind,” she explains. “I would lock myself in the room, usually late at night when the world was asleep. I knew I needed to capture them before they left me.”

Blind Faith, released in late September 2024, to great acclaim, with Mojo Magazine hailing it as “.. the album of her career..” has delighted old fans and won new followers.

The critics have been universally generous in their praise of Gemma’s new work.

The album’s cover art, designed by the German artist Dirk Wüstenhagen, suggests an artist diving back into her art with conviction and a newfound sense of freedom, perhaps even a bit of reckless abandon.

Hayes’ songs have always drawn their power from her lyrical intimacy and lucidity, juxtaposed with her penchant for experimenting with various sonic textures that embrace both the quiet and the loud.

These hallmarks are on riveting display throughout Blind Faith’s nine compositions, produced by Hayes herself alongside Karl Odlum, David Odlum & Brian Casey.

Main image: Photo by Charlotte (@underfeather)

Tickets on sale 10am Thursday 5 December